Light fixture with water protection device



LIGHT FIXTURE WITH WATER PROTECTION DEVICE Filed 00?.- 20, 1965 G. D. COOPER Jan. 9, 1968 I: Sheets-Sheet 1 5 mm M 2 5 O 3 4 O 2 .l 5 4 H 9 3) w army.

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INVENTOR GEORGE D. COOPER ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. D. COOPER LIGHT FIXTURE WITH WATER PROTECTION DEVICE 53 INVENTOR GEORGE D. COOPER BY 7': ,M M047 ATTORNEYS FIGS Jan. 9, 1968 Filed Oct. 20, 1965 G. D. COOPER 3,363,091

LIGHT FIXTURE WITH WATER PROTECTION DEVICE Jan. 9, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 20, 1965 A L I'll/III INVENTOR GEORGE D. COOPER ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice Patented .lan. 9, 1968 3,363,091 LIGHT FDKTURE WITH WATER PRDTECTIGN DEVHCE George D. Cooper, 1136 Vista Place, Edmonds, Wash. 98020 Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,841 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-3) ABSTRACT 6F THE DISCLOSURE An outdoor light fixture having a reflector means within a housing and a ventilating chamber for the refiector allowing dissipation of heat to the atmosphere, wherein a weatherproof shield covers the ventilation chamber preventing precipitation from entering the ventilating chamber and striking the reflector means.

This invention relates in general to a light fixture, and more particularly to a light fixture especially suitable for outdoor use, although it may be used any place where a weatherproof fixture is needed.

The light fixture of the present invention is primarily useful for illuminating areas, such as parking lots, sports arenas, automobile-tending areas of filling stations, or wherever it is desired to provide good illumination, and especially in those situations where it is desired to have a quality light that is closely responsive to eyes sensitivity. The light fixture may be mounted on buildings, light poles or any type of equipment. In general, the light fixture includes a housing defined by a pair of opposed parallel end walls interconnected together by a semi-oval shaped wall and coacting therewith to define a substantially rectangular front opennig. The front opening is closed by a cover assembly including a transparent lens for transmitting radiant energy, which cover assembly is mounted to preclude the entrance of inclement weather into the housing. The source of radiant energy is sup ported within the housing, which may take the form of an incandescent lamp, a pulsed Xenon lamp, a mercury or sodium vapor lamp, a carbon arc lamp, or any other suitable source, although the present invention will be described relative to using an incandescent lamp of the iodine-quartz type. A reflector is mounted behind the source of radiant energy on the side opposite the front opening, and which is capable of reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy. Such a reflector is composed of a transparent substrate, preferably a heat resisting glass, that has a plurality of thermal vacuum deposited layers of reflected material on one surface capable of selectively reflecting certain Wavelengths of radiant energy. Preferably, the layers will reflect all of the visible radiant energy except a portion thereof which will be transmitted so that the resulting color temperature of the light column will be increased over the color temperature of an incandescent lamp, or decreased in the case of a mercury vapor type lamp to provide a color balanced light in the light column that is more satisfying and responsive to the sensitivity of the human eye. Thus, a higher quality of light can be produced by the present invention. Inasmuch as the reflector transmits the infrared radiant energy, this being what produces a great portion of the heat in the light column, a ventilating chamber is provided in the oval shaped Wall in communication with the rear side of the reflector for dissipating heat away from the source of radiant energy and from the interior of the housing. The ventilating chamber is closed by a precipitation-proof or weatherproof cover or shield to prevent precipitation from entering the ventilating housing and hitting the reflector. While the reflector would preferably be of heat resisting glass and have extremely durable dielectric layers of material thereon, it would operate at a relatively high temperature when the source of incandescent energy is energized, and therefore be susceptible to breaking or cracking if hit by cold precipitation.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved light fixture, useful for illumination indoors or outdoors.

Another object of the present invention is in the provision of a light fixture that is constructed for weatherproof operation and for dissipating heat generated in the fixture.

Still another object of this invention is in the provision of a light fixture having a weatherproof housing with a source of radiant energy and reflector supported therein, wherein the reflector is capable of reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infra-red radiant energy to remove heat from the source of radiant energy, and wherein a ventilating chamber is provided in the housing for dissipating the heat of the infrared radiant energy transmitted through the reflector. 1

A further object of this invention is to provide a light fixture having a ventilating chamber for dissipating heat generated within the fixture, and a cover assembly over the ventilating chamber that precludes the entering of .precipitation into the chamber.

A still further object of the present invention is in the provision of alight fixture that is constructed for long life, is economical to manufacture, produces a quality light column, and is efliciently operable in all weather conditions.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the light fixture according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the light fixture of FIG. 1, showing the interior structural details with some parts in phantom and other parts removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 2, with some parts shown in plan;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 with some parts removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the ventilating opening cover assembly;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat fragmentary and rear perspective view of the housing with the ventilating opening cover member and other structures removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the reflector holder and socket mounting assembly that is mounted within the housing;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational View of the assembly of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially along line 99 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 'l-6, the light fixture of the present invention includes a housing 16 having opposed parallel end walls 11 interconnected by a semi oval or convexo-concave wall 12 and defining a front generally rectangularly shaped opening 13. A ventilating chamber 14 is formed in the wall 12 opposite the front opening 13, and defined by generally parallel opposed side walls 15, a forward wall 16 opposed to the front opening 13, and a cover or shield assembly 17.

The front opening 13 is closed by a lens cover assembly 18 that includes a lens mounting rim 19 and a lens 20. The lens 20 may be of any suitably transparent material, but preferably of a heat resistant glass. A pair of ears 21 extend from the lower side of the lens mounting rim 19 and are freely received between mounting lugs 22 and 23 formed on the bottom side of the semi-oval wall 12 of the housing and at each side thereof. A pin 24 extends through the lugs and corresponding ear at each side of the housing to pivotally mount the lens cover assembly 18 to the housing. In order to secure the lens mounting ring in position over the front opening of the housing, a lug 25 is provided on the top side of the lens mounting rim 19 and in alignment with a lug 26 formed adjacent thereto but on the housing and in particular on the top side of the semi-oval shaped wall 12. A bolt 27 or other suitable fastener is provided in the lug to engage in a threaded bore formed in the lug 26 for securing the lens mounting rim in position. The lugs 25' and 26 are centrally positioned, and being along the top of the housing, also serve as a target for adjusting the positioning of the light fixture when mounting it on a building, pole, or other supporting structure.

In order to assure a waterproof seal between the lens cover assembly and the front rectangular opening of the housing, a seal or gasket 23 is provided in position about the periphery of the lens 20 so that it engages on one side the lens mounting rim 19 and on the other side the housing.'As seen particularly in FIG. 9, a plurality of clips 29 are secured to the lens mounting rim 19 by fasteners 30 to secure the lens 20 and gasket 28 in place on the rim to preclude the lens and gasket'from being displaced or dropping out of the rim when the lens cover assembly is pivoted to an open position for servicing of the light fixture, such as when relamping is necessary. Thus, it can be appreciated that relamping may be easily accomplished merely by unscrewing the bolt 27 to free it from the housing lug 26, and then pivoting the lens cover assembly to open position. The gasket 28 has a generally U-shaped cross section when in sealing position as shown in FIG. 4 so that it covers the peripheral edge plus a portion of the front and back surfaces of the lens 20 as shown.

The lugs 22,'integral with the oval shaped wall of the housing, are elongated, and have adjustably mounted thereto an inverted U-shaped mounting bracket 31 by means of nut and bolt assemblies 32, whereby the bracket 31 may be suitably mounted to a supporting structure and thereafter the housing 10 maybe pivotally adjusted to the bracket to cast the light column in the direction desired.

Both the housing 10 and lens mounting ring 19 are preferably of cast metal, such as aluminum or a die cast material. The cover or shield assembly 17 is preferably of a formed metal, and will be more clearly described hereinafter.

The source of radiant energy illustrated is an iodinequartz bulb 33 of the double-ended type, and coacts with a reflector 34 of the dichroic type that is capable of reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy. The reflector preferably includes a pair of arcuate segments arranged together on the side of the bulb 33 away from the front rectangular opening 13. Each of the segments includes a transparent substrate, such as a heat resistant glass that has been coated with a plurality of layers of selective reflecting material by the thermal deposition process. Preferably, the coatings are such as to reflect that part of the visible radiant energy while transmitting the invisible radiant energy (including infrared radiant energy) and that part of the visible radiant energy necessary to raise the color temperature of the light column to between 3200 and 3800 K. In this instance, the color temperature of the bulb would be about 2950 K.

A bulb and reflector assembly 35 serves to support the bulb and reflector within the housing 10. The bulb and reflector assembly includes opposed plates 36 interconnected by a reflector holder 37. The reflector holder 37 includes parallel opposed arm sections 38 and transversely extending side sections 39 that are bent in V-shape with suitably formed generally Z-shaped clips 40 that define therewith tracks for the reflector segments. Tabs 40a are provided on the clips 40 to be bent so as to hold the reflector segments in position in the tracks. Eats 41 are bent at right angles to and at the opposite ends of the arm sections 38, and fastened to the opposed plates 36 by several fasteners 42.

One end of each of the opposed plates 36 is provided with a pair of fastener receiving slots 43 (FIG. 4) arranged on opposite sides of a larger socket receiving opening 44 for adjustably mounting thereto a socket as sembly 45. Fasteners 45a are provided to secure the sockets 45 to the plates 36, and coact with the slots 43 to adjustably mount the sockets thereby permitting adjustability of the opposite ends of the bulb 36 to properly focus same with respect to the reflector. As seen particularly in FIG. 2, a socket is mounted at each side of the bulb and reflector assembly to receive respectively each.

end of the bulb 33. Electrical wires 46 extend from each socket and through a hole 47 in the housing and into a splice box 48 (FIGS. 2 and 3), from which a conduit 49 extends to be connected to a source of electrical energy.

The ends of the opposed plates 37 opposite the socket mounting ends are bent to define a clip receiving section 50 extending generally parallel to the lens 30, and a fastening ear 51 enabling a fastener 52 to secure same to an end wall 11 of the housing. A light horn 53 with resilient clips 54 is removably mounted to the bulb and refiector assembly by inserting the clips through openings 55 formed in the clip receiving portions 50, the light horn.

being formed by inclined side and end walls 56 and 57, respectively, and extending from adjacent to the reflector holder 37 to a point just inside of the front lens 20. The side and end walls 56 and 57 diverge from the .reflector end and are formed of reflective material wherein the surfaces receiving flux from the bulb 33 are of a suitable reflective material for assisting in the pushing of flux out of the fixture. Further, the light horn 53 serves to control the field of light emanating from the fixture.

When the bulb and reflector assembly 35 is mounted within the housing, the parallel opposed arm sections38 are abutting against the forward wall 16 of the ventilating chamber 14, and the side sections 39 engage against the side walls 15 of the ventilating chamber. The side walls 15 are provided with V-shaped cuts 58, FIG. 6, to accommodate the V-shaped side sections 39 of the reflector holder, and an opening 59 is provided in the forward wall 16 for receiving the reflector, whereby the reflector essentially is positioned within the ventilating chamber 14. A seal or gasket 60 is arranged between the reflector holder and the side walls 15 and forward wall 16 to provide a sealing relationship therebetween and preclude the possibility of precipitation or water from entering into the area of the iodine-quartz bulb. Preferably, the seal 60 and the gasket 28 are made of silicone rubber in order to withstand the high temperatures generated by the unit. Fasteners 61 are employed for securing the reflector holder to the forward wall 16.

In order to prevent precipitation, such as rain or snow, from entering the ventilating chamber 14, the shield assembly 17 enclosing the ventilating chamber 14 includes a substantially semi-oval or convexo-concave shaped plate 62. having louvers 63 and 64 struck therein, and a somewhat V-shaped trough 65, FIG, 5. Fasteners 66 are provided for securing the terminal ends of the plate 62 to the housing.

The V-shaped trough includes inclined walls 67 and 68'secured at opposite ends to the plate 62 by fasteners 69, and parallel opposed side walls 70 which effectively give side boards to the walls 67 and 68, and define with the plate an opening 71. The ends of the inclined walls 67 and 68 terminate just inside the endmost louver openings 63 and 64 so that water running down the walls 67 and 68 will be assured of being discharged through the end louver openings. Further, the side walls 70 extend against the plate 62 at each end thereof and beyond the innermost louver opening so that if water passes threthrough, it will be stopped from going around the inclined panels 67 and 68. Yet, circulation of air is afforded about the V- shaped trough 65 by virtue of the opening 71. Preferably, the V-shaped trough is a black painted or oxidized metal so that it will absorb the heat and allow it to travel therethrough and dissipate through the louver openings 63 and 64 and prevent reflection of infrared radiation back through the reflector. Thus, regardless of the position of the light fixture, water entering louver openings 63 can pass out louver openings 64 or vice versa. Additionally, a small weep hole 72 is provided centrally of the plate 62 to allow the drainage of water therethrough that may run along the inner surface of this plate. Seals or gaskets 73 are provided between the terminal ends of the plate 62 and the housing to preclude the entrance of precipitation at these points. Therefore, it can be seen that heat can be dissipated through the ventilating chamber 14 by the regular convection flow, yet the cover assembly 17 prevents the undesirable entrance of precipitation which could be damaging to the reflector. By enabling the removal of some of the heat, longer life of the bulbs 33 is experienced since the end seals of the bulbs operate at a lower temperature.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be efiected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An outdoor light fixture comprising, a pair of opposed parallel end walls and a substantially oval-shaped wall between said end walls coacting therewith to define a housing having a substantially rectangular front opening, a lens cover assembly including a transparent lens removahly and sealingly mounted over said front opening so that it may be easily removed for obtaining access into the housing, means within the housing for supporting radiant energy producing lamp means, reflector means within the housing behind said lamp means on the side thereof opposite the front opening for reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy, and a ventiliating chamber defined in the rear of the housing opposite the front opening and behind said reflector means for dissipating said infrared radiant energy, said ventilating chamber being defined by a pair of spaced side walls arranged between said end walls and parallel thereto, a front wall extending between said side walls in parallel relation to said lens and having an opening therein for receiving said reflector means, and a cover assembly that is substantially contiguous with said oval-shaped wall, said cover assembly including a parti-oval shaped plate with ventilating and water draining opening therein and a substantially trough-shaped water shield secured to the inner side of said plate in registry with said openings.

2. An outdoor light fixture comprising, a pair of op posed parallel end walls and a substantially oval-shaped wall between said end walls coacting therewith to define a housing having a substantially rectangular front opening, a lens cover assembly including a transparent lens removable and sealingly mounted over said front opening so that it may be easily removed for obtaining access into the housing, means within the housing for supporting radiant energy producing lamp means, reflector means within the housing behind said lamp means on the side thereof opposite the front opening for reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy, and a ventilating chamber defined in the rear of the housing opposite the front opening and behind said reflector means for dissipating said infrared radiant energy, said ventilating chamber being defined by a pair of spaced side walls arranged between said end walls and parallel thereto, a front wall extending between said side walls in parallel relation to said lens and having an opening therein for receiving said reflector means, and a cover assembly that is substantially contiguous with said oval-shaped wall, said cover assembly including a parti-oval shaped plate with louvered openings therein and a trough shaped water shield secured to the inner side of said plate in registry with said openings.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the surface of said water shield facing the reflector means is black.

4. An outdoor light fixture comprising, a pair of opposed parallel end walls and a substantially oval-shaped wall between said end walls coacting therewith to define a housing having a substantially rectangular front opening, a lens cover assembly including a transparent lens removably and sealingly mounted over said front opening so that it may be easily removed for obtaining access into the housing, means within the housing for supporting radiant energy producing lamp means, reflector means within the housing behind said lamp means on the side thereof opposite the front opening for reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy, and a ventilating chamber defined in the rear of the housing opposite the front opening and behind said reflector means for dissipating said infrared radiant energy, said ventilating chamber being defined by a pair of spaced side walls arranged between said end walls and parallel thereto, a front wall extending between said side walls in parallel relation to said lens and having an opening therein for receiving said reflector means, and a cover assembly that is substantially contiguous with said oval-shaped wall, said cover assembly including a parti-oval shaped plate with louvered openings therein and a trough shaped water shield secured to the inner side of said plate in registry with said openings, said trough shaped water shield including a V-shaped portion wherein the inside surface thereof faces the reflector means and opposed side panel portions extending at right angles to said V- shaped portion and toward said plate.

5. An outdoor light fixture comprising, a pair of opposed parallel end Walls and a substantially oval-shaped wall between said end walls coacting therewith to define a housing having a substantially rectangular front opening, a lens cover assembly including a transparent lens removably and sealingly mounted over said front opening so that it may be easily removed for obtaining access into the housing, means within the housing for supporting radiant energy producing lamp means, reflector means within the housing behind said lamp means on the side thereof opposite the front opening for reflecting visible radiant energy and transmitting infrared radiant energy, and a ventilating chamber defined in the rear of the housing opposite the front opening and behind said reflector means for dissipating said infrared radiant energy, said ventilating chamber being defined by a pair of spaced side walls arranged between said end walls and parallel thereto, a front Wall extending between said side walls in parallel relation to said lens and having an opening therein for receiving said reflector means, and a cover assembly that is substantially contiguous with said oval-shaped wall, said cover assembly including a parti-oval shaped plate with louvered openings therein and a trough shaped water shield secured to the inner side of said plate in registry with said openings, said trough shaped water shield including a V-shaped portion wherein the inside surface thereof faces the reflector means and opposed side panel portions extending at right angles to said V-shaped portion and toward said plate, said side panel portions engaging said plate along the opposite ends of said louvered openings.

6. The combination as defined in claim 2, and waterproof sealing means between said reflector means and said ventilating chamber.

7. The combination as defined in claim 2, and a light horn extending between said reflector means and said lens for controlling the field of light.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said V 7 light horn includes side and end Walls diverging froni 3,097,903 said reflector means and having their inner surfaces of 3,149,785 reflective material. 3,184,586 7 3,192,379 References Cited 5 3,255,345 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,257,232 9/1941 Flint et a1 24047 2,798,943 7/1957 Prideaux 24047 8 Moore -Q 24047 Appleton Q. 24047 Hammes et a1. 24047 Degarrno 24026 Chadwick 24047 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. M. H. HAYES, Assistant Examiner. 

